In a place where Bollywood is the buzzword, where superstars like Shilpa Shetty, Preita Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan are the attractions, it's ironic that the man nicknamed "Hollywood" is the main drawcard.
He may have retired two years ago, but Australian legend Shane Warne is the biggest star of the Indian Premier League. The fact that he led the underrated Rajasthan Royals to the maiden IPL title last year has kept him in the spotlight even longer.
Warne, 40, loves the cameras. He is cricket's ultimate showman. Speaking on his arrival in Cape Town for this year's IPL, the glare was back in his eyes, this time buoyed by the prospect of South African crowds actually wanting him to do well.
"I've got no problems with the IPL being in South Africa. It's a great place. I've always enjoyed playing cricket in South Africa. I've got special memories. I played my 100th Test in Cape Town, so I've a special place in my heart for Cape Town. I've also made some great friends in Johannesburg," Warne said.
"Cape Town people have a passion for the game and, like all South Africans, who are very similar to Australians in this way, they love their sport. I've been amazed by how many people have come up to us who said how impressed they were with what the Royals achieved last season. So it seems we have a good support base here and with Graeme Smith and Morné Morkel in our side, maybe they'll come out and support us. Maybe I'll even get a cheer when I come on to bowl and not be booed like it's been in the past."
One of the South African "friends" Warne has made is none other than Proteas skipper and Royals teammate Graeme Smith. This friendship surprised many as the duo had publicly criticised each other in the past.
"When we met up in the foyer of the team hotel for the first time, I just said: 'How ya doing mate? Do we have a problem?' He said: 'No', and I said: 'Ok let's carry on', and that was that."
"He's also matured a lot, grown up. I took the mickey out of him quite a bit during the last IPL for the way he behaved when he started. I mean we were beating South Africa, and he still just couldn't keep quiet. I asked him since if he's learnt from that, and he said yes, so he has pulled in his head a bit."
The IPL has lost some of its glamour appeal with the withdrawal of a few high-profile Australian players like Michael Hussey, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson because of an intense international schedule. Warne, who admits to being a bit ring rusty after having not bowled for 12 months, believes this could all be avoided if the International Cricket Council practiced some "common sense".
"If the ICC had any common sense, they would create a window for the IPL. No international cricket should be played in April. The IPL could then be cut to four weeks, which would allow all the international players to play in it," said Test cricket's former highest wicket-taker.
"The IPL is a wonderful advertisement for the game. If there was any common sense, the BCCI and ICC, would then compensate all the unions with some money for allowing their players to play in the IPL."
Warne, however, doesn't want to get dragged into any ICC controversy. He prefers to enjoy the appeal of the IPL, and instead wants to focus on retaining the trophy his team won last year.
The Royals have lost some key players in Pakistani duo Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir and last year's star Shane Watson, because of their involvement in the one-day international series in Dubai, but the Sheikh of Tweak believes through the expert purchasing skills of owner Manoj Badalle, the champions will again be a force to be reckoned with.
"Many people underestimate Manoj's shrewd ability to choose a Twenty20 player. Tyron Henderson is a good signing. Shane Harwood also bowled brilliantly in T20 cricket back in Australia, and we've seen what Shaun Tait can do in World Cup's, so that is very exciting. We've got a few games to acclimatise to the conditions, and Jeremy Snape will help the young Indian players adapt, so we are already one step ahead of the other franchises," Warne said.
No comments:
Post a Comment